YOUNG skaters raised £1,000 for charity in an event arranged by a 12-year-old.

Emily Coleman came up with the idea of Sk84life for Cancer Research UK after attending Race for Life in Bournemouth with her mum Caroline last year.

More than 50 youngsters aged seven to 16 turned up at Winton Recreation Ground to make their way around on skates, scooters and skateboards for her sponsored event.

The Bournemouth School for Girls pupil was full of pride after her peers helped her pass the £1,000 mark and she wants to have the family fun day again next year.

Emily said: “We couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help.

“We’re hoping that next year we will have even more people turn up and raise even more money for such a great cause.”

She decided to help the charity after two family friends were lost to cancer and also designed a logo for the event.

Sponsors gave more than £800 on the internet and other donations took Emily’s total above £1,000.

Mark Saxby – her former headteacher at St Luke’s Primary School – said Emily showed “real initiative and perseverance” to devise and organise this event. Emily’s dad Simon said she and her friends took brooms to sweep the recreation ground track and make it safer for the skaters.

He said: “Caroline and I are very proud of Emily for thinking of the idea and having the determination to make it happen.

“We are also grateful to the children who came on the day to support her and raise so much money for this worthwhile charity.

“We are all looking forward to sk84life family funday in 2014.”

Supporters can still donate at justgiving.com/sk84life